Carriers Target Consumers with New Motorola Device

Both Dallas-based WebLink Wireless Inc. and Alexandria, VA-based Metrocall will incorporate the consumer-oriented two-way Motorola Talkabout T900 personal interactive communicator into their wireless messaging services. The device has a computer-style keyboard, a backlit screen and 128 kilobytes of storage memory. With the WebLink Wireless service, people can use the device to send instant messages to other wireless devices or to send e-mail to any Internet address.

In addition to wireless instant messaging and wireless e-mail, subscribers also can use the device to access information services from the Internet. Through relationships with MSN and Lynkus.com, WebLink Wireless service will allow customers to receive, and in some cases request, information such as stock prices, sports scores, weather forecasts, driving directions, movie schedules, and restaurant listings.

According to COO Steven D. Jacoby, Metrocall has focused on the "business-to-business" community since it launched My2Way service in April. The T900 will make an affordable, colorful addition to the carrier's portfolio that will allow it to target college students and teens, he said.

The carrier will bring the T900 to highly mobile customers via as many points of distribution as possible. The new product will be featured in Metrocall's 127 corporate owned retail stores, AT&T Wireless' 600-plus retail stores, as well as marketed through our many third-party retailers, both retail and online. In total, Metrocall has more than 16,000 points of distribution.

WebLink Wireless is currently selling the device and service through its on-line store and will begin offering the device and service through retail stores in July at Best Buy, the good guys!, OfficeMax, RadioShack, and The Wiz.

"Now, … consumers are no longer chained to their computer," said N. Ross Buckenham, WebLink Wireless president. We are doing for e-mail and instant messaging what mobile phones did for the phone call."

WebLink Wireless will offer monthly service packages based on the number of messages users desire, with prices starting as low as $14.95 per month for 250 messages and nationwide coverage. The Talkabout T900 will be sold nationwide through retailers for $179.95, but WebLink Wireless will make an $80 introductory rebate offer on credit card purchases of the device with a one-year service commitment.

Edited by Ellen Jensen